Thursday, February 19, 2009

Rare brain infection linked to MS drug

From CBC News:
There are reports of a rare brain infection among people taking the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, Health Canada warns.

The brain infection, called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, usually happens in people with weakened immune systems.

Since Tysabri first came on markets several years ago, five people around the world who were taking the drug developed PML and one case resulted in death, Health Canada said Wednesday.

The drug has been approved for use in Canada since 2006 for the treatment of the relapsing-remitting form of MS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

In this type of MS, patients alternate between periods when they experience symptoms and when they don't. ...more

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